CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
June 25, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor L. Anthony Beall, Mayor Pro Tempore Bradley J. McGirr, and Council Members Keri Lynn Baert, Anne D.
Figueroa and Jerry Holloway (5). Absent: None (0). The Salute to the Flag was led by Council Member Figueroa.
SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
1.1 INDEPENDENCE DAY - FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2025 - CITY HALL CLOSED
1.2 SAMLARC'S STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR EVENT - FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2025, FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 9:30 P.M., LOCATED AT THE LAGO SANTA MARGARITA
BEACH CLUB
1.3 CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY "25 YEARS" - SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2025, FROM 4:00 TO 8:00 P.M., LOCATED AT CENTRAL PARK
1.4 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES, LOCATED AT CENTRAL PARK FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 P.M.:
SUNDAY, JULY 6 - BIG ROCKSHOW
SUNDAY, JULY 13 - FLOCK OF 80's
SUNDAY, JULY 20 - THE ANSWER
SUNDAY, JULY 27 - REDNECK RODEO
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 - WAYWARD SONS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 - SPINTOWN (School of Rock band at 4:00 p.m., Spintown band at 6:00 p.m. - Dreamers Market from 4:00-8:00 p.m.)
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Baert reported she participated in a housing panel; the discussion included the impact of laws like SB9 that have stripped cities of local control in planning and development
Council Member Baert shared she visited the Rancho Santa Margarita branch of the Orange County Public Libraries which has kicked off their summer programs.
Residents can participate in the summer reading challenge, in-branch programming, and grab and go craft kits. There is also a summer reading challenge for adults. 1 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 25, 2025
Council Member Baert thanked all the participants of the Fire Safety and Preparedness ommunity Meeting and shared the meeting was recorded and will be avallable to ewing for those who could not attend. She is also looking forward to the City's 2! year celebration community event, Sunday, June 29, 2025.
Council Member Figueroa shared that on July 1, 2025, the State of California will be raising gas taxes, and, with the current excise tax increases as well as new regulations regarding carbon emissions, increases are expected to be as high as 65 cents/gallon.
In 2026, Phillips 66 and Valero's Benicia refineries are going to close and estimates are that, by the end of 2026, the price per gallon of gasoline will be near $8.00.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr shared the RSM Food Pantry will have a food collection drive at Pavilions located at 22451 Antonio Parkway, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or Saturday, June 28, 2025.
2.2 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
1) FOOTHILL/EASTERN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Mayor Beall announced he attended the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Authority (TCA) meeting held on June 12, 2025. Mayor Beall reported the TCA was notified that the TCA had received two award recognitions, one from the Association of California Cities Orange County Division for their partnership with the Irvine Police Department allowing the police department to use a portion of the Tomato Springs Toll Plaza for motorcycle officer training. The second recognition is from the California Transportation Foundation who recognized the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 12 and the TCA for the 241 Toll Road jump-out ramp repair project, a collaborative project to redesign and repair wildlife jump-outs damaged during wildfires.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Beall and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr presented the following:
3.1 CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION - BUSINESS RECOGNITION TO
LINEGEAR FIRE & RESCUE EQUIPMENT
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Breanne Boyle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, spoke regarding democracy, the City's redistricting, the monument sign on Antonio Parkway, the Boys and Girls Club, and the pending litigation regarding district elections.
Craig Innis, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared his concern for the new Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map for the City which was issued by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of the State Fire Marshall. 2 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 25, 2025
Brad Spector, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, requested to have mobile speed signs placed on Melinda Road from Santa Margarita Parkway to the 241 Toll Road due to vehicles racing.
Amber Bloomer, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, asked how items get placed on the agenda, inquired about the pending litigation regarding district elections, and shared information on loud vehicle and motorcycles exhaust on Santa Margarita Parkway and requested enforcement of the noise ordinance.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Beall removed Agenda Item No. 5.3 from the Consent Calendar at the request of Council Member Baert for further discussion.
Council Member Holloway moved, seconded by Council Member Figueroa to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 5.1 through 5.2 and 5.4 through 5.12).
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Baert, Figueroa, Holloway, and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr, Mayor Beall (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
5.1 WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES ON THE AGENDA Waived reading in full of all ordinances on the agenda and declared that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
5.2 APPROVAL OF A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
Approved a Certificate of Recognition for a Business Recognition to LineGear Fire & Rescue Equipment.
5.4 ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE RELATED TO CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY Adopted Ordinance No. 25-01 entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA,
CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 6.13 (CAMPING IN PUBLIC AREAS) TO TITLE 6 (PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE) OF THE RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO CAMPING ON PUBLIC
PROPERTY, AND AMENDING SECTION 12.02.030 AND CHAPTER 12.06 (SLEEPING IN VEHICLES) OF TITLE 12 (VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) OF THE
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO SLEEPING
IN VEHICLES
5.5 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED JUNE 9, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 17, 2025
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 25, 2025
Approved the warrant registers totaling $891,250.22.
5.6 INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2025
Received and filed the investment Report for the month of May 2025.
5.7 RESOLUTION TO ALLOCATE AND APPROPRIATE ROADWAY MAINTENANCE
AND REHABILITATION ACCOUNT (RMRA) FUNDS, IN THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $160,000 TOWARD THE ANNUAL RESIDENTIAL SLURRY SEAL PROJECT, $1,030,000 TOWARD THE SANTA MARGARITA PARKWAY PAVEMENT
REHABILITATION PROJECT (CITY LIMITS TO SANTA MARGARITA PARKWAY BRIDGE), $340,000 TOWARD THE LOS ALISOS BOULEVARD PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT (CITY LIMITS TO ALTISIMA), AND $250,000 TOWARD
THE ANTONIO PARKWAY GATEWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT - MEDIAN
CONSTRUCTION (ANTONIO PARKWAY FROM SOUTHERLY CITY LIMITS TO TIJERAS CREEK) TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM (CIP)
Adopted Resolution 25-06-25-01 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 FUNDED BY SB 1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
5.8 APPROVAL OF A PROPOSED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH AGA ENGINEERS, INC., FOR PROFESSIONAL TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
SERVICES FOR THE ANTONIO PARKWAY SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION
PROJECT
1) Approved a proposed Professional Services Agreement with AGA Engineers, Inc. for Professional Traffic Engineering Services for the Antonio Parkway Signal Synchronization Project, in the not-to-exceed contract amount of $856,678; and 2) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Professional Services Agreement with AGA Engineers, Inc.
5.9 ADOPT RESOLUTION FOR RENEWED MEASURE M (M2) ELIGIBILITY TO UPDATE
STATUS OF THE CIRCULATION ELEMENT, MITIGATION FEE PROGRAM, AND
APPROVAL OF ORANGE COUNTY FUNDTRACKER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT LISTING
1) Adopted Resolution No. 25-06-25-02 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, CONCERNING THE STATUS AND
UPDATE OF THE CIRCULATION ELEMENT, AND MITIGATION FEE
PROGRAM FOR THE MEASURE M (M2) PROGRAM
2) Approved Orange County Fundtracker Capital Improvement Project Listing; and 4 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 25, 2025
3) Directed staff to submit the required Renewed Measure M eligibility submittal documents with the Orange County Transportation Authority.
5.10 NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE ALICIA PARKWAY PAVEMENT
REHABILITATION PROJECT
1) Accepted the improvements for the Alicia Parkway Pavement Rehabilitation Project; and
2) Authorized the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the County of Orange Recorder's Office within fifteen (15) calendar days, as required by Section 9204 of the California Civil Code; and
3) Authorized the retention monies to be released thirty-five (35) days after the Date of Recordation of the Notice of Completion, if all Stop Notices have been resolved and all potential claims are settled.
5.11 PROPOSED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH INFINITY
TECHNOLOGIES FOR GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) SUPPORT
SERVICES
1) Approved Professional Services Agreement with Infinity Technologies for Geographic Information System (GIS) Support Services in a maximum not-to-exceed contract amount of $30,000; and
2) Authorized the City Manager to execute the proposed Professional Services Agreement with Infinity Technologies for GIS Support Services.
5.12 APPOINTMENT OF LABOR NEGOTIATOR
CITY MANAGER ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, selected and appointed Mayor Pro Tem Brad McGirr to serve as the City Council's designated representative for purposes of (a) facilitating the annual performance evaluation of the City Manager and (b) conducting labor negotiations with the City Manager, an unrepresented employee.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
5.3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Beall introduced Council Member Baert.
Council Member Baert requested an addition to her comments for Item No. 7.2 on the , 2025, City Council Regular meeting minutes. Council Member Baert requested the following additional comment be added, "The ordinance balances enforcement with compassion by allowing continued outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness."
Council Member Baert moved, seconded by Mayor Beall to approve the following staff recommendation:
Approved the June 11, 2025 City Council Regular meeting minutes. 5 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 25, 2025
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Baert, Figueroa, Holloway, and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr, Mayor Beall (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS - None.
NEW BUSINESS
7.1 INTRODUCTION OF AN UNCODIFIED ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE FIRE HAZARD
SEVERITY ZONE MAP FOR THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA LOCAL
RESPONSIBILITY AREA
Mayor Beall introduced Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director, who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Council Member Baert inquired if having the new maps will change anything the City does with its property; if local fire safety personnel were involved in the map designs; is it common to make a map that divides the severity levels within the same house.
Council Member Figueroa inquired why some areas of the City had changed severity zones; if an explanation had been given, and how often the maps are updated.
Mayor Beall inquired who prepared the maps; if cities are asked to give any type of input in the preparation; does the City have any ability to modify the maps; who residents can contact if they have concerns. Mayor Beall asked if the City has any discretion to deny approval of the maps and clarified it is a state mandate to do so; adoption of the map does not directly impact insurance.
Council Member Holloway thanked staff for the presentation.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr inquired if the Wildfire Presentation from earlier in the day was videotaped and encouraged concerned residents to watch the video. Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr thanked staff for the presentation and expressed his disappointment that the City had no choice in the adoption of the fire maps.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr moved, seconded by Council Member Holloway to approve the following staff recommendation:
Introduced for first reading, read by title only, and waived any further reading of an Ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
WITHIN THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA LOCAL
RESPONSIBILITY AREA (LRA) AS DETERMINED BY THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION, OFFICE OF THE 6 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 25, 2025
STATE FIRE MARSHAL, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51175 ET SEQ.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Baert, Figueroa, Holloway, and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr, Mayor Beall (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
8. CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT - None.
11. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Baert requested the staff conduct a study to look at adding additional suicide prevention signs on the Santa Margarita Parkway bridge and the cost to do so.
Council Member Holloway inquired when the current signage was installed, and requested staff look at any additional elements that can be implemented and the cost associated.
Council Member Figueroa thanked everyone who participated in the Fire Safety and Preparedness Community Meeting, including Laura Lopez, PIO/Assistant to the City Manager, OCFA Division Chief Maule and OCSD Captain Chapple.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr reminded everyone to support the RSM Food Bank hosted by RSM Cares at Pavilions this Saturday.
Mayor Beall echoed Council Member Figueroa's comments on the Fire Safety and Preparedness Community Meeting and reminded residents that the presentation is available to watch along with previous presentations on the City's website.
12. CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
The City Council convened in Closed Session, in the City Council Conference Room or Emergency Operations Center Conference Room, City Hall, to consider the following matters:
12.1 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Public Employee Title: City Manager - Annual Performance Evaluation PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM - None.
ADJOURN TO CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM OR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 25, 2025
CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council convened in Closed Session at 8:16 p.m., to consider the matters listed above.
RECONVENE TO CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The City Council reconvened in regular session at 8:47 p.m., in the City Council Chambers.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Beall reported that the City Council convened in Closed Session pursuant to the authority identified on the agenda, conference with legal counsel anticipated litigation, as a result of the closed session there was no reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Beall adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m., to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Tow Baal
L. ANTHØNY BEALL, MAYOR
PREPARED BY:
ти Via
MADELINE M/ BALSZ, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Approved: July 9, 2025
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